Man Utd: Haaland 'hasn't burned bridge' with Reds says pundit
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would prefer to sign Erling Haaland over his Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho, according to reports. The Norwegian spent the whole summer hoping to sign Sancho but, now, appears to have changed tact. The Red Devils are flying at present and have genuine hopes of winning a first Premier League title since 2013, back when Sir Alex Ferguson ruled the Old Trafford roost.
Ed Woodward spent the whole summer transfer window chasing a deal for the England international, who scored 17 goals and registered 17 assists for Dortmund last term.
In the end, a move to Old Trafford failed to materialise.
It was Joel Glazer who put his foot down, telling Woodward and Solskjaer that United wouldn’t be breaking the bank for the former Manchester City star.
And, while United want Sancho still, their priority now appears to have changed.
The Mirror say Haaland is now the priority, with the Norway international enduring a terrific campaign over at the Westfalenstadion.
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But, such is Solskjaer’s eagerness to sign Haaland, dealing with the super-agent is a gamble he’s willing to take.
Speaking earlier in the season, Paul Scholes urged United to secure the signing of the Dortmund star.
"Yes,” he said when asked if the Norwegian should be pursued.
“Do you know what, when all the talk was about, I hadn’t seen a lot of him, but then once the German football came back and I watched him properly, I thought: 'Why did Manchester United not just pay whatever anybody wanted for him?'
"He looks that good, he’s still young, and he’s an out-and-out goalscorer. He’s quick as well, he’s got real pace.
Man Utd transfer news: Erling Haaland is wanted despite Anthony Martial's fine form (Image: GETTY)
"He’s a big lad, he’s a presence, and he scores goals – and that’s priceless.
"Looking back – and do you know what, he still might be available, who knows, in time – but United are going to have to pay big, big money for him.
"But so what? He looks the real deal."
United have signed two flops from Borussia Dortmund in recent years, with both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Shinji Kagawa failing to live up to expectations.
They both lasted 18 months at the club before being sold by Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal respectively.